The Other Afghanistan War: Fighting for Legal Equality and Level Economic Playing Fields

The political and socio-cultural position of women in Afghanistan is in transition, particularly in the urban areas of the country. Advances have been made to include women in peacebuilding efforts, as noted by the recently adopted Constitution that grants equal rights for men and women, and as more and more women engage in entrepreneurial activities.

Yet, despite this progress, the difficulties ahead remain enormous.

At the event, this panel of experts focused on two areas of opportunity for women in Afghanistan: emerging legal reform and economic activity. They considered these issues in context of the broader challenges facing the country, including the high rate of female illiteracy; the low number of girls who have access to education; the high rate of physical, psychological and/or sexual violence; and the low life expectancy rate for women.

Speakers

• Palwasha Hassan
  Jennings Randolph Afghanistan Fellow, U.S. Institute of Peace
• Joanne Trotter
  Director of Programs, Aga Khan Foundation
• Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
  Journalist
• Kathleen Kuehnast, Moderator
  Chair of the Gender Working Group, Associate Vice President of the Grant Program, U.S. Institute of Peace